The cold winter is a high-risk season for cardiovascular diseases. Aspirin, a commonly used medication, has also become a choice for many elderly people to prevent cardiovascular disease. What are the main indications for aspirin? Is it suitable for long-term and large-scale use? Will it bring some side effects? Liu Kai, a cardiologist at Fuwai Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, told reporters that aspirin has a long history of use, initially used in clinical practice as an antipyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory drug. Later, it was discovered that it could inhibit platelet aggregation, thus having a good preventive effect on thrombosis. As a standard therapeutic drug, it has been widely used in the treatment and prevention of coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular stenosis and other atherosclerotic diseases. In addition, aspirin can also be used for the prevention of preeclampsia (severe stage of pregnancy induced hypertension) and the treatment of antiphospholipid syndrome (an immune disease prone to thrombosis) during pregnancy. Due to stomach irritation being a common side effect of aspirin, the correct way to take the medication is also very important. According to Xi Hui, a cardiovascular physician at Peking University International Hospital, researchers have developed enteric coated aspirin tablets to reduce irritation to the stomach. Using a special process, aspirin is not easily released in the stomach but instead dissolves in the intestine, preventing irritation to the stomach. So, aspirin tablets should not be taken by splitting them apart, as this will disrupt the production process of enteric coated tablets. The correct method is to take aspirin enteric coated tablets on an empty stomach and eat half an hour after taking them, in order to allow the enteric coated tablets to pass through the stomach and dissolve in the intestine as soon as possible. But if taking regular aspirin tablets, they should be taken after meals to reduce irritation to the stomach. Although taking aspirin daily may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, this therapy is not suitable for everyone. According to the Mayo Clinic in the United States, it depends on each person's age, overall health condition, history of heart disease, and risk of heart attack or stroke, and must be taken in moderation according to medical advice. The Mayo Clinic in the United States states that if long-term aspirin use is required due to cardiovascular disease, it is necessary to strictly choose the appropriate dosage. Low dose aspirin generally refers to about 75 to 100 milligrams, but the most common dosage is 81 milligrams - it helps prevent heart attacks or strokes. Liu Kai said that in recent years, more and more people have paid attention to the risk of aspirin, especially the risk of bleeding in the elderly population. There are also many clinical studies focusing on this issue both domestically and internationally. At present, there is a consensus that as long as the application indications are correctly identified, and relevant risks and contraindications (such as gastrointestinal ulcer or bleeding history, intracranial hemorrhage history, etc.) are evaluated, long-term aspirin use can still bring net benefits in elderly people with atherosclerosis disease or high risk of cardiovascular disease and indications for aspirin use. He stated that for specific patients, individualized strategies still need to be given based on thorough evaluation, such as adjusting the course and dosage of aspirin use, or considering alternative drugs (such as clopidogrel, indobufen, etc.) if necessary, to minimize their bleeding risk. The Mayo Clinic says that for most adults, occasionally taking one or two aspirin tablets to relieve headaches, body pain, or fever is usually safe. But if the body is healthy and there is no history of heart disease or stroke, the benefits of taking aspirin daily are not significant, and may even have serious side effects and complications, including: possibly increasing the risk of hemorrhagic stroke; Increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding; Causing allergic reactions, etc. (New Society)